Chimney cleaner



Nov. 11, 1,515,410

J. RENNER CHIMNEY CLEANER Filed Sept. 26 1922 W W 7///x mt-mm (7418.2azmwr awuewfoz Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

PATEr OFFICE.

JOSEPH RENNEB, OF LAGRO, INDIANA.

CHIMNEY CLEANER.

Application filed September 26, 1922. Serial No. 590,730.

This invention relates to an improved chimney cleaner of the typepermanently installed in place for automatically and con tinuouslyremoving soot from the walls of the chimney.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a cleaner which isextremely simple and inexpensive, the samebeing such in constructionthat it iscapable of being placed in position for use by unskilledhands.

More specifically speaking, it is another object of the invention toprovide a unique cleaner for chimneys embodying a bearing supported onthe chimney, there being a vertically disposed shaft rotatable in thisbearing and the shaft carrying a wind vane or a blade, together withsuitable cleaning means suspended from the shaft and de-' pending intothe chimneyfor removing the soot deposits when the shaft is set intorotation by the wind.

Inasmuch as the device is liable to, be struck by lightning duringstorms, it is a further object of the invention to associate meanstherewith for conveying the disastrous electrical current to the ground.

Furthermore, as it is desirable to render thedevice capable of beinginstalled on different sizes and shapes of chimneys, the proper detailsare adiustable to insure perfect and proper operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through the upper portionof a chimney showing the cleaner arranged thereon, parts of the latterbeing shown in section to disclose the construction of the details moreclearly.

Figures 2 and 3 are sections taken on the lines 22 and 3-3 respectivelyof Fig. l.

Described in detail, the improved invention comprises a substantiallysquare base 1 of suitable material such as concrete which is adapted tobe placed on the top of the chimney, this base being equipped withsockets 2 of insulation material which receive the lower ends ofsupporting rods 3.

As is seen in the drawings, the upper ends 4 of these rods are directedlaterally inward toward each other and are provided with closely spacedopenings 5 through which a bearing sleeve 6 is adapted to extend. The

sleeve may be threaded as shown to permit nuts to be employed forconnecting it with the laterally directed ends of said supporting arms.As before intimated, a vertical shaft 7 is rotatable and slidable inthis bearmg and the shaft has a blade or wind vane 8 rigidly secured toit for automatically setting it into rotation when the wind 'is blowing.For the purpose of retaining the shaft in difierent adjusted positions,a stop collar 9 is employed, the same engaging the upper end of theaforesaid bearing sleeve. It. is to be noted that the'lower end of theshaft 7 extends beyond the corresponding end of the bearing sleeve andcarries an adjustable cross head 10 composed of short arms 11 havingspaced openings 12 for co-action with a fiat-faced portion of the shaft.It is obvious that such a cross head is capable of being adjusted torender the device effective on different sizes of chimneys. The arms 11carry depending chains 13 which in turn carry small chains 14. all ofsaid chains depending into the chimney to be swept against the sootcovered walls thereof for cleaning it when the shaft is set intorotation by the vwind acting on the aforesaid vane. Cleaning elements ofthe chain type are not absolutely essential and it is understood thatany suitable means may be sub stituted therefor in practice.

In order to prevent possible displacement of the structure from thechimney during strong wind storms, I provide a plurality of stay wires15 which are connected at their upper ends to hooks 16 on theaforesaidsupporting arms 3 and are nailed or otherwise secured at theiropposite ends to the chimney.

It has already been intimated that an invention of the type specifiedlikely to latter will be set into rotation.

be struck by lightning during a storm and in order to safeguard the sameagainst destruction from this source, suitable means is provided. In thedrawings I have simply illustrated a pointed spear 18 which isdetachably connected with the upper threaded end 17 of the aforesaidrotary shaft. This spear is intended to conduct the electricity throughit and down through the shaft or ossibly through the supporting arms 3.Ience, a ground wire 19 is connected with one of the arms for conveyingthe cur rent down to the ground. \Vhile it may not be essential, it ispreferred to insulate the aforesaid hooks. 16 from the supporting rods,to insulate the lower ends of the rods and to connect the aforesaidsweeping chains with the adjustable cross head through the medium ofsuitable insulated balls or the like.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that when the wind isblowing, it will strike the blade and as this is rigidly con nected withthe aforesaid vertical shaft, the Hence, the chains which are associatedtherewith and depend into the interior of the chimney will be sweptagainst the soot covered walls of the chimney to remove deposits of soottherefrom. So long as a suflicient wind is blowing, the operation of thedevice is continuous and automatic.

Inasmuch as the chains 6 and 1 1 rotate rather rapidly when the wind isblowing at a high velocity, it is obvious that as they contact the edgeof the concrete base they will be subjected to severe wear. In order toreduce this wear and to prolong the life of the chains, I contemplateplacing balls 17 of suitable non-conducting material at these points.Hence, the balls will directly contact the base and the chains will berelieved of considerable wear.

By carefully considering the description in connection with thedrawings, persons familiar with devices of this class will doubtless beable to obtain a clear understanding of the invention. Therefore, a morelengthy and detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

Since probably the best results may be obtained with the constructionand arrangement herein shown and described, this is taken as thepreferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish itto beunderstood that minor changes coming withs in the scope of the inventionas claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A chimney cleaner comprising a bearing, means for supporting thebearing in a position spaced above the top of the chimney, a verticallydisposed shaft rotatable in the bearing and extended on opposite sidesthereof, a wind vane secured rigidly to said shaft above the bearing forimparting rotation to the shaft, an adjustable cross-head secured to theport-ion of the shaft below said bearing, and a plurality of chainscarried by and depending from said cross-head into the chimney to removethe soot deposits from the inner faces of the Walls thereof when saidshaft is set into rotation.

2. A chimney cleaner comprising a base, a plurality of rods rising fromthe base and havin their upper ends directed laterally inwar toward eachother, a bearing connected with the inner ends of said rods, avertically disposed shaft rotatable in the bearing, a wind vane rigidlysecured to said shaft for imparting rotation thereto, a cross headconnected with the lower end of the shaft, said cross head beingcomposed of adjustable horizontally disposed arms, and chains connectedwith said arms and depending into the chimney for removing the sootdeposit from the inner walls thereof.

3. A chimney cleaner comprising a rotary cleaning device including a.plurality of comparatively light chains adapted to depend into theinterior of the chimney to contact the inner surface of the wallsthereof, wear-resisting devices carried by said chains and adapted tocontact the edge of the opening of'the chimney to prevent excessive wearof the chains, and means for supporting said cleaning device on thechimney.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

JOSEPH RENNER.

